Pubdate: Thu, 6 Jan 2005
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2005 Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspaper
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n012/a04.html

CHANGES TO MARIJUANA LAWS

FAILED POLICY WASTES TAX DOLLARS

State Rep. Harold Dutton's proposal to reduce penalties for small amounts 
of marijuana is just a step in the right direction. There is a big 
difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from 
drugs. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use 
and frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. But as 
long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, 
consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs 
such as cocaine.

Given that marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol - the plant has 
never been shown to cause a death from overdose - it makes no sense to 
waste tax dollars on failed policies that finance organized crime and 
facilitate the use of hard drugs.

Robert Sharpe

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake